A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But, though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense. The national unity of free people depends upon a sufficiently even balance of political power to make it impracticable for the administration to be arbitrary and for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

Question

A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But, though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense. The national unity of free people depends upon a sufficiently even balance of political power to make it impracticable for the administration to be arbitrary and for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

Accepted Answer

In a democracy, the opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance.

Answer

Without opposition parties, the administration in a democracy gets to become more responsible.

Answer

Democracy needs to have revolutionaries in opposition to keep the government alert.

Answer

Rulers in a democracy need the support of opposition for their political survival.

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